Green Earth Biofuel Experiences Setback for Biodiesel Plant Startup in Kentucky

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Researched by Industrial Info Resources (Sugar Land, Texas)--Privately held biodiesel startup Green Earth Biofuel of Kentucky Incorporated (Irvine, Kentucky) has experienced some minor setbacks in beginning operations at the company's new biodiesel plant. Production at the plant should begin within the next 30 days. The plant began construction in mid-2006, but experienced many setbacks and delays along the way, so that the facility is only now reaching completion.

Developers made some minor electrical changes at the plant and are waiting for final electrical and building inspections before starting full production. The feedstock soybean oil that will be converted into biodiesel has yet to be purchased and President Montie Parks said he "does not want to pay for something I am not using at this point." Oil purchases are expected to begin within the next couple of weeks, and production could start in late April or early May of this year.

The first section of the plant, located in an 18,000-square-foot building in Irvine, will produce 25 million gallons of ASTM-spec biodiesel in a variety of B5 and B20 blends during the first 12 months of production. Future plans involve leasing an additional 25,000 square feet of county-owned buildings in the development to add another 25 million-gallon-per-year section in the second year of operations and a third 25 million gallon-per-year section in the third year. Expanding the facility beyond the initial phase hinges on the reinstatement of the $1-per-gallon production tax credit that expired at the beginning of this year.

The company is also investigating utilizing heterotrophic algae to produce algal oil feedstock that can be refined into renewable diesel. Markets for the end product include power plant fuel, military vehicles and local transit authorities.

The plant is located at 523 Kirkland Avenue in Irvine, about 35 miles southeast of Lexington. The facility has access to the Kentucky River.

Industrial Info's Ethanol Database provides a comprehensive outline of all current development activities in the emerging alternative fuels market. This database covers 177 ethanol plants in operation and 530 plants under development. It also covers 145 operational biodiesel plants and 245 biodiesel plants under development.

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